Small Grants
In response to community feedback, small grants started in 2020 to increase access to PCL funds for smaller nonprofits and strengthen their capacity to serve children, youth and families. Multiyear grants provide grantee partners with stable funding to build trusting relationships with children and families over the long term, leading to more positive outcomes.
Current grants
After a competitive funding process, 12 new small grants totaling $2.6 million were awarded in June 2026, with funding for three-year grants beginning July 1, 2026. Grants go toward after school academic support, early childhood visits, farm-based education and food, and a variety of mentoring activities.
Grants range from $120,000 to $240,000 for the three years ending June 30, 2029. All 12 organizations awarded small grants will receive PCL funding for the first time.
“These extraordinary, community-based organizations, and new PCL partners, will provide hope and resiliency to the next generation by serving children, youth and families, including from marginalized communities, individuals with intersectional identities, and those with disabilities,” said Councilor Dan Ryan, chair of the Allocation Committee. “We are pleased to support their work and their missions. Congratulations all.”
PCL publishes annual performance reports on funded programs each year.
2025-26 small grants funding round
Voters overwhelmingly renewed the Portland Children’s Levy for a fourth time in May 2023, which allowed for a competitive funding round in 2025-26 for new small grants.
The process began in 2023 with equity-centered community engagement and input on the needs and priorities of children and families in Portland. More than 750 community members and service providers provided input in more than 25 languages.
PCL used the 2024 Community Engagement Report prepared by consultant Camille E. Trummer to develop funding priorities for grants made during the current Levy authorization, July 1, 2024-June 30, 2029. Funding priorities describe the types of services eligible for funding.
Applicants had to offer direct services that address at least one funding priority in any of the Levy’s six program areas.
The PCL Community Council advisory body helped design the community engagement process, shape the application and scoring criteria, scored applications and made funding recommendations. In April 2026, the Allocation Committee, the oversight body that makes all PCL funding decisions, unanimously approved the small grants recommended by the Community Council.
In June 2026, Portland City Council unanimously approved the new small grants decided by the Allocation Committee.
Through late 2026, PCL staff will gather feedback from applicants, Community Council members and the Allocation Committee members about the 2025-26 small grants funding process. The results will be used to inform a grantmaking process improvement report. For more information on funding results and feedback on previous processes, visit the Grantmaking Improvement Reports webpage.
